The Industrial Age

For industrial or rustic living spaces, Progress Lighting’s Trestle features a handpainted cage with geometric elements in pendant and linear options. progresslighting.com

By Andrea Lillo

Industrial was the word at the Dallas International Lighting Market, and the design direction in the lighting category has definitely taken an urban turn. In addition, earthy aesthetics, such as the use of natural materials, continued to filter in and warmer finishes were introduced by several companies.

The traditional category, however, still remains important, though it offers pared-down, updated looks for today’s consumer.

But the growing urban, industrial trend has led several companies, such as Progress Lighting and Lite Source, to dedicate an area in their showrooms to this category. At Progress, its Rustic Industrial area included the new Trestle family, which had a handpainted wood look paired with black metal. With a design that features filament bulbs, it was offered in two pendants and a linear fixture.

This lamp is part of Stylecraft’s lighting and home decor licensed line with camouflage company Mossy Oak. stylecraftonline.com

Natural materials such as wood have become more popular. Kichler’s Elbur introduction was inspired by the 1970s and has a wood veneer. “You see the ‘70s creeping into design,” said Jeff Dross, corporate director, education and industry trends, Kichler.

“We’re starting to do more wood,” added Matt Fallen, sales and marketing specialist, Kenroy Home, which debuted Shaker, made of woven wood.

Partnering with camouflage company Mossy Oak, Stylecraft debuted its new Nativ Living license, with about 50 SKUs ranging from lighting to home and wall decor. Animals such as bears and deer were among the motifs, as were birch trees and other woods.

There is still a call for traditional style as well, though it’s become cleaner and simpler, said Rick Seidman, president and CEO, Quoizel. Areas such as Quoizel’s Tiffany-styled products—which still have a loyal traditional customer—have expanded into more contemporary looks, he said, such as using agate stone or mica for a Tiffany feel but a modern look. Quoizel has seen a recent surge in traditionally styled portables, which he believes may be due to other lighting companies exiting that business.

At Kichler, traditional was also pared down with simplified lines, and the new additions were especially good, said Dross. They included Kimblewick, which featured thin rust-metal finished arms with a rougher finish on the crystals. “That will fit into a cottage-styled house.”

Several shapes and styles continue to be strong, such as pendants and caged designs. “The customer is looking for more pendants,” Dross said. Titus is a sophisticated pendant family featuring a mesh shade in a matte black finish, mixed with polished nickel. Kichler’s new Tinley bird cage design uses black tubing. One practical reason cages are so popular is because they are easier to clean when used in a room with a high ceiling, according to Dross.

At Kenroy Home, a three-piece collection called Cages featured a globe-shaped cage designed to highlight the G30 bulb, though it can use other bulbs. The line included a pendant and floor and table lamps, and had an oil-rubbed bronze finish.

Littman Brands’ Hudson Valley Lighting took a more feminine direction with its introductions, which included Crawford, an elegant fixture featuring deep cuts on the crystal for more light play. Dunkirk has a snowflake look that is reminiscent of the 1970s.

The LED category remains hot. Dale Tiffany debuted its first LED—and outdoor—items through its new partnership with FoxConn, which makes iPhone and iPads. Dale Tiffany wanted to wait to debut LED products until LEDs themselves were better performers, and now “I feel more comfortable with the quality,” said Ye Chung, founder. In addition, “no one has [FoxConn’s exclusive] socket in the industry.” The line includes portables, flush mounts and sconces, outdoor and other fixtures. They are rated at 3,000 Kelvin and with a CRI of over 80, he said.

The contemporary ET2 brand, a division of Maxim, had plenty of LED intros. Aura, for example, is a functional sculpture that uses LED board instead of the less expensive LED tape, which deteriorates over time, said Nathan Sperling, product coordinator. LED board is more durable but has to be constructed for each fixture’s shape. Under the Maxim brand, Eternity is an example of a transitional/contemporary style that employs LED board.